What Is the Recovery Time After Retinal Detachment Surgery?

One to two weeks of recovery time is required after retinal detachment surgery, according to FCI Ophthalmics. If the surgery involved inserting a gas bubble into the eye to apply pressure to the retina, the patient must often spend much of the recovery time facedown.

While patients can often resume normal activities within one to two weeks of retinal detachment surgery, follow-up visits typically take place over the next one to three months, and the patient's ability to travel may be limited for longer as well. During the recovery period, patients should avoid driving, heavy lifting and watching TV. Patients with nonactive jobs can typically return to work after two weeks.